Points in the Paint 10.07.08: The East

Posted by Rob Bonnette on 10.07.2008

A quick look at the East for 2008-09!

Hello there everyone and wlecome to another edition of Points in the Paint, where I'm still dodging computer malfunctions to give you guys the misinformation you're all looking for so badly. Training camp is open and it's time for crazy speculation. So let's get to it! We'll look at the East first, then next time around I'll hit the West:

Atlantic Division

Boston: They start out the season as the favorites to win the East if not the whole shebang. KG, P-Squared, and Ray Allen shouldn't be any less than they were last season, and Rajon Rondo should continue to get better in his third season. The big question will come in the playoffs when they'll be without James Posey who left as a free agent to join the Hornets in New Orleans.

Philadelphia: One of two teams looking to make a huge leap this season. They shored up their need for a low post scoring presence and lead dog on offense by bringing in Elton Brand, who can serve up a 20/10 on a nightly basis. Just having Brand on the floor will make life easier for Andre Iguodala, who will be able to play the Scottie Pippen role on offense that he's more suited for, and Samuel Dalembert, who will be able to focus squarely on rebounding and defense instead of trying to provide all of the low post offense. It will probably take a year together (along with another year of aging for the Celtics and Pistons) for them to emerge as a Finals contender, but if all goes according to plan they could get there.

Toronto: The other team looking to move up. They made a really bold move by trading for Jermaine O'Neal, and it's one that could pay off if he's over his injury issues. If healthy, he's another 20/10 guy to go along the one they already have in Chris Bosh. The only drawback is that both guys have a rep for shying away from the rough stuff; that alone could put them in a situation like the Lakers ended up in the Finals, where an opponent that is willing to mix it up in the paint is able to push them around and make a close series a rout, or turn what should be a Raptors victory into a defeat. We'll see. And by the way, it's do or die time for Andrea Bargnani. He's another bad season away from Darko, part II.

New Jersey and New York: I lump these two teams together here because neither one will make the playoffs and they're both stuck in a mishmash of rebuilding and overall mediocrity. The Nets have one member of their former big three left on the roster in Vince Carter, and it's possible that he'll be dealt somewhere soon. Other than him, there's a bunch of young talent that is promising but still living off potential. Josh Boone, Sean Williams, and Devin Harris all return, along with new arrivals Yi Janlian from Milwaukee and rookie Brook Lopez. Carter plus those guys equals a competitive team that loses a whole lot of games; if Carter is dealt then we're looking at a contender for the first overall pick in 2009. As far as the Knicks go, they remain a disjointed mix of talented guys with no real leader. Rumors swirl that Zach Randolph will traded, which will help, and Stephon Marbury will be gone after this season, if not before, but for the time being both of those guys are still there to take up shots and minutes without actually leading the team to anything substantial. No matter what happens roster-wise, this is still a palceholding season until 2009 comes and they are able to start unloading some of their horrendous contracts.

Central Division

Detroit: All the principals are back, albeit another year older. The thing is, no one else in their division has the right combination of talent and chemistry to unseat them. They may lose earlier than usual in the playoffs, but as far as winning the division in the regular season, no one has shown they can put things together consistently just yet.

Cleveland: Mo Williams is a talent upgrade over Delonte West at the point, but he is a shoot first type that is more likely to score 20 points than dish out 10 assists. The question here is, as always, how will everyone do what the teams needs to complement Lebron's superhuman performances. Zydrunas Ilgauskas remains criminally underutilized, and too much time is spent watching Lebron go one on five. I think they'll still trip up enough to lose division title to Detroit, but they very likely could go further in the playoffs since the Pistons still lack the take charge, I'm King of the World type of guy you need to get to the Finals.

Chicago, Milwaukee, and Indiana: Another bastion of mediocrity here. Could one of them sneak into the playoffs? Sure. Do any of them have a chance at getting past the first round if they do? Heck no. Chicago has added Derrick Rose, who looks to be a keeper once he gets accustomed to the NBA game, but the rest of the roster is still a collection of good but not great players with no major low post threat. With good health they could win around 40 games, but no more. Milwaukee underwent roster makeover, shipping out Yi and Mo Williams and bringing in Luke Ridinhour and Richard Jefferson. It could work; Ridinhour is a pass first guy who will get the ball to the best guys Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd; this could really help Bogut, who has been held back by teammates who all shot it if they had it instead of passing it to the seven footer. It also helps that the coaching staff won't feel forced to give 20 minutes a night to Yi no matter how bad he sucks. Indiana has jettisoned it's onetime franchise guy and is now moving forward with the youth movement. Last place looks about right for them.

Southeast Division

Orlando: This is almost by default. No one else improved enough to scare them, so they shouldn't have any real problems repeating. The question remains the playoffs; if Dwight Howard is unable to cross the threshold into full time greatness they should be looking at another second round defeat, if not earlier if they get the wrong matchup. Their postseason success will boil down to their ability to get the ball to Howard in crunchtime and whether or not he'll be able to come through. If the fourth quarter rolls around and he's watching Hedo Turkoglu or Rashard Lewis fire away, then expect more of the same that we're used to seeing.

The rest: Charlotte, Washington, Atlanta, and Miami: Yes, I know I'm being lazy here and lumping them all together again. This entire group is pretty hard to figure though. Washington is bringing back pretty much the same crew, but is likely to fall a little now that there are better teams in Toronto and Philly. How far is anyone's guess. Charlotte brings back most of the good in theory, not so good in practice gang from last season. They could make the playoffs and finish second in the division, or flame out again and finish fourth. Miami continues to rebuild; there's definitely talent there (D. Wade, Shawn Marion, rookie Mike Beasley, and Udonis Haslem) but questions remain about depth and Beasley's maturity level. Marion is a wildcard here; he could be traded, but if he stays then there is definitely a potential minute/shots issue with he and Beasley. Even though they don't have the same game, in essence they're kinda the same guy so it makes little sense to keep them both unless Beasley isn't any good. Like Charlotte, they could figure it all out and finish second or they could flame out and miss the playoffs again. Atlanta is probably the playoff team least likely to make it back. They lost their only reserve worth mentioning in Josh Childress and will likely be affected negatively by the Toronto and Philly upgrades as well.

OK, that's it for now. Next time around we head West to see what it looks like out there. Until then...